Man (70) accused of killing wife to apply for bail later this month
The couple allegedly had an argument at their home in Secunda earlier in June.
Phillip O’ Neill (70), who is being accused of murdering his wife, Hester (49), appeared before Magistrate Cornelius Roos at the Secunda Magistrate’s Court last week for a formal bail application.
The matter was postponed to June 24 and O’Neill still remains in custody.
He will also appear in court on the same day on another unrelated criminal charge.
It is alleged that an argument ensued between the couple at their home in Brandspruit Street in Secunda, at about 22:35 on June 1.
According to police reports, Hester had allegedly told O’Neill she wanted to leave him.
The police report states that Hester was shot in the back of her neck.
A 9mm short Astra firearm licensed in O’Neill’s name and live ammunition were confiscated from the scene.
O’Neill’s family was present at the court, while Hester’s family were attending her funeral at the NG Church in Evander.
The DA showed their support in front of the courthouse for Hester and all women who suffer from gender-based violence (GBV) in a silent protest with placards reading “STOP Gender-Based Violence”, “Respect women” and “Stop killing women”.
DA Councillor Mariaan Chamberlain said: “We are here to support women who are affected by violence, especially at such an extremity that they are being murdered.
“We are specifically supporting women where gender-based violence against women is involved and today we are especially thinking about the woman, Hester, who was allegedly murdered by her husband last week.
“However, we are also doing it to support women throughout South Africa, not forgetting the men who also have to go through this.
“I urge the community, if there are problems at home, to get help, do not go to such extremes, because now the family and the children are affected.”
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